On February 17, 2026, the NATURE-DEMO project strengthened regional collaboration by organizing the Stakeholder Workshop dedicated to DEMO 5. The event, held at HES Crn Drim in Struga, brought together 24 participants, including representatives from local and regional authorities, public institutions, NGOs, and the private sector.
Focus on Demo 5: Globochica Dam
The workshop focused on the innovative solutions planned for Demonstrator 5 (DEMO 5) at the Globochica Dam. Under the coordination of IZIIS Director Igor Gjorgjiev and his expert team, the session detailed how Nature-based Solutions (NbS) can transform the resilience of critical energy infrastructure in the face of climate change.
Key presentations included:
- The NATURE-DEMO Vision: An overview of the project's mission to protect infrastructure across Europe.
- Strategic Interventions for DEMO 5: Specific plans for infrastructure resilience at Globochica.
- Technical Implementation: Detailed analyses regarding biological rehabilitation and anti-erosion measures on the dam's slopes.
Local Partnership for Safety and Sustainability
The presence and active involvement of the Mayor of Struga, Mendi Qyra, highlighted the importance of this event for the local community. During discussions with the IZIIS expert team, he noted that climate change adaptation is a priority for the municipality, especially considering the essential role of water resources for the stability of the entire region.
"Nature-based solutions represent a modern and responsible approach to water and climate risk management," stated Mayor Mendi Qyra. He pointed out that the use of scientific methods and digital monitoring is essential for building safe, long-term infrastructure.
Through this openness to innovative solutions, the Municipality of Struga confirms its commitment to collaborating closely with the academic community and aligning with European climate adaptation standards.
Collaboration and Feedback
The workshop was more than just a presentation; it served as a platform for dialogue. Participants provided valuable feedback through structured questionnaires, expressing strong support for the proposed NbS measures. The discussions highlighted that protecting critical infrastructure is a shared responsibility among the scientific community, state-owned energy companies, and local administration.
The information collected will contribute directly to the development of the demonstrator and the monitoring of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) within Work Package 6 (WP6).
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